Dispensing container



July 31, 1962 Filed Jan. 11. 1961 H. M. HILL 3,047,200

DISPENSING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR l8 Howard/VH1 ATTORNEY July 31, 1962 H. M. HILL 3,047,200

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 11, 1961 5 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR Howard M///// ATTORNEY July 3.1, 1962 Filed Jan. 11, 1961 H. M. HILL DISPENSING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3,047,200 DISPENSING CONTAINER Howard M. Hill, Hamilton, Va. Filed Jan. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 82,029 11 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) This invention relates to fibre containers for the packaging and delivery of liquids such as milk and has particular reference to a dispensing container made from a single piece of fibre stock and having a dispensing opening in its top completely sealed at the point of manufacture of the blank.

An object of the invention is provision of a one piece blank from which a dispensing container can easily be made up in a dairy because of the simplification of assembly operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an opening for filling the container that is only slightly less in size than the horizontal cross section of the container body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a completely sealed dispensing opening for a container, the pouring surface and lip of which are protected at all times.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing opening for a container with a rupturable seal, the elements of which are completed in the blank manufacturing plant and the seal is therefore easily inspected for proper opening.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent as it is better understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the container is made.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the blank of FIGURE 1 after a first folding and gluing operation on the single elongated flap to complete the two-ply dispensing closure with part of the blank broken away.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view after a second folding operation to bring all three plys of the top closure to coincide along their edges with part of the blank broken away.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the upper end of the container formed into a side seamed tube with top closure members standing erect and part of the container broken away.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the upper end of the container with end seam flange formed and top closure members standing erect and part of the container broken away.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the upper end of the container with the reinforcing ply of the top closure member folded down and glued to the end seam flange of the container and the two-ply partially rupturable top closure member standing vertically and part of the container broken away, the container now ready for filling.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the upper end of the completed and filled container ready for delivery to the ultimate consumer, the lower part of the container broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the upper end of the finished and filled container with the rupturable seal of the top closure broken and the dispensing opening uncovered ready for the contents of the container to be dispensed, the lower part of the container broken away.

FIGURE 9 is a plan View of a blank showing a modified form which permits dispensing of the contents of the container at a corner instead of at the mid-point of one side with part of the blank broken away.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the modified form of atent blank of FIGURE 9 after the first folding and gluing operation with part of the blank broken away.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the modified form of blank of FIGURE 9 after the second folding operation with part of the blank broken away.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the container made from the modified form of blank of FIGURE 9 with reinforcing ply of the triple-ply top closure member folded down and glued to the end seam flange of the container and the two-ply partially rupturable top closure member standing vertically and part of the container broken away.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the upper end of a finished and filled container made from the modified form of blank of FIGURE 9 with part of the container broken awa Fl GURE 14 is a perspective view of the upper end of a finished and filled container made from the modified form of blank of FIGURE 9 with the rupturable seal of the top closure member broken and the dispensing opening uncovered ready for the contents of the container to be dispensed, the lower part of the container broken away.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention FIGURES 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings illustrate a container of rectangular cross section, and the blank fro-m which it is made, comprising a fibre tubular body 11 closed at its upper end with a flat triple-ply fibre filling and dispensing top closure 12. The bottom end of the container is closed by infolding integral flaps which are not a part of this invention. FIGURES 9 through 14 inclusive illustrate a second form of the invention made from a modified form of body blank.

Referring to FIG. 1 blank 13 is divided by vertical score lines 25, 26, 27, and 28 into five panels 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 which when folded and glued at side seam 24 make up the side walls of body 11 (FIG. 4). A horizontal score line 29 divides end flaps 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 from body panels 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18; and cut lines 30, 31, 32, and 33 extending from the lower extremity of blank 11 to score line 29 separate end flaps 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 from each other. A short horizontal score line 34 extending from vertical score line 27 to score line 28 defines a hinge line between panel 17 of body blank 11 and reinforcing ply 35 of triple-ply dispensing top closure 12 all of which is contained in a single elongated flap. Cut line 36 extending from vertical score line 25 to score line 27 separates top plies 37 and 38 from panels 15 and 16 of body blank 11. Short vertical scores 39 and 40 define lines about which top plies 37 and 38 are folded to form triple-ply dispensing top closure 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Cut lines 41, 42, 43, and 44 in reinforcing ply 35 define a large and substantially full opening 45 in the reinforcing ply through which the container may be filled (FIGS. 1 and 6). Dispensing opening 46 (FIG. 1) of substantially triangular shape is closed by substantially triangular plug 49 which is severed from inner ply 37 of the double ply closure member 50 consisting of plies 37 and 38 except at lugs 47 and 48 which hold triangular plug 49 until these lugs are ruptured at the time it is wished to dispense the contents of the container. Outer ply 38 of the two-ply closure member 50 has integral tea-r tab 51 attached to its extreme left hand edge (FIGS. 1 and 6), the outline of the tear tab 51 being defined by semicircle 52 and straight lines 53 and 54 which latter lead directly into weakened score lines 55 and 56 respec tively and determine the area of outer ply 38 partially ruptured to uncover dispensing opening 46 (FIG. 8). Thesurface of plug 49 facing outer ply 38 when in folded position is coated with adhesive which attaches it to the inner surface of outer ply 38 and consequently when tear tab 51 is lifted to open the container, plug 49 is with- 3 drawn from dispensing opening 46 after rupture of lugs 47 and 48.

The inner surface of outer ply 38 (FIG. 1) has a narrow glue stripe 57 extending angularly downward from the intersection of edge 58 and weakened score 55 of outer ply 38 thence parallel to edge 58 and thence again angularly to the intersection of edge 59 and weakened score line 56 to form an easily ruptured seal between the partially rupturable portion of outer ply 38 and inner ply 37 between weakened score lines 55 and 56 and between pouring corner 60 of dispensing opening 46 and score line 39. The inner surface of tear tab 51 has a small spot of glue 61 located so as to contact the under surface of end seam flange 62 when in final assembled position (FIGS. 1 and 7).

Preferably the container is made up by first folding outer ply 38 along score line 40 and gluing all areas contacting inner ply 37. The resulting partially completed blank is shown in FIG. 2. Herein lies one of the important and valuable features of this invention since in this operation all gluing of the rupturable dispensing two-ply closure member 50 is completed and never again disturbed until the final consumer of the contents of the container wishes to dispense them. As a result, continuous manufacturing plant inspection of the functioning of the rupturable dispensing closure member is feasible through the destruction of samples taken from the manufacturing line at regular intervals. In the next operation the two-ply dispensing closure member 50 is folded about score line 39 so that the outlines of all three plies of the triple-ply top closure 12 coincide excpt that tear tab 51 overhangs. This is merely a folding operation, no gluing being done, and reinforcing ply 35 may be hinged away from two ply dispensing closure member 50 (FIG. 3).

This disposition of the several plies of the top closure facilitates handling of the blank through succeeding operations since all plies of the top closure are located above one edge of one body panel.

The next operation in the formation of the container is the side seam gluing at 24 (FIG. 4). This gluing may be done in a folding box machine in which case the body would be a flattened envelope, or the gluing may be done over a mandrel having the cross section of the inside of the body. In this case the finished body would appear as in FIG. 4 with bottom flaps (not shown) extending downward from the lower edge of the body and the tripleply dispensing top closure 12 extending upward from one edge of one body side wall. At this time with the body carried on a mandrel the bottom flaps are folded and glued to make up a bottom closure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the next operation performed on the container body is a necking-in of the body peripherally near the upper edge to form end seam flange 62. At this time triple-ply top closure 12 stands vertically and now forms a right angle with one edge of end seam flange 62 (FIG. 5).

The next operation (FIG. 6) brings the container to the point in its manufacture where it is ready to be filled. The manufacturing operation consists of a folding down of reinforcing ply about score line 34 (FIG. 5) and gluing it to peripheral end seam flange 62. At the same time two-ply partially rupturable dispensing top closure member 50 hinges about score line 39 and takes the position of FIG. 6 with tear tab 51 lying alongside one body side wall and the two-ply closure member 50 standing vertically. Preferably the stock from which the container is made is treated with a waterproofing material and since all joints are tightly made the container may now be filled with a liquid through large opening in reinforcing ply 35. Herein lies another advantage of the invention i.e., a large filling opening through which liquid such as milk may be rapidly introduced into the container without the foaming attending the operation of filling when openings and filling tubes are of small cross sectional area. The container is now closed by hinging down two-ply partially rupturable dispensing top closure member and sealing inner ply 37 to reinforcing ply 35 by means of adhesive. After this final closure has been made tear tab 51 is formed under peripheral end seam flange 62 (FIG. 7) and attached to the under side of end seam flange 62 by means of a spot of adhesive 61 (FIG. 5).

The foregoing description of the manufacture and use of the container of this invention assumes that the container is to 'be completely fabricated at the filling point. This is by no means necessary as the container might just as well be made at one point and shipped to another for filling. In this case the container shipped to the filling plant would look much like FIG. 7 and the two-ply partially rupturable dispensing top closure member 50 would be sealed to reinforcing ply 35 by means of a low melting point adhesive which by the application of a mild heat at the filling plant would permit hinging top closure member 50 about score line 39 to expose opening 45 for filling. From this point filling and closing would be as before.

To dispense the contents of the container tear tab 51 (FIG. 7) is grasped between thumb and index finger and pulled outwardly rupturing the glue seal between spot 61 (FIG. 5) and the underside of peripheral end seam flange 62 (FIG. 7). Pulling upwardly will now rupture in sequence narrow glue stripe 57, weakened scores and 56, and plug retaining lugs 47 and 48 allowing tear strip 63 carrying plug 49 to hinge about score line 64 exposing dispensing opening 46 (FIG. 8) and permitting the contents of the container to be poured over the protected pouring surfaces of inner ply 37. To reclose the container tear tab 51 is snapped back under peripheral end seam flange 62, and plug 49 is pressed back into dispensing opening 46.

FIGURES 9 through 14 discloses a container made from a modified form of blank which when made up (FIG. 13) is substantially the same as the container of FIG. 7 but which pours from one corner instead of from the mid point of one side.

In the manufacture of a container of this latter modified form (FIGS. 914) the body blank has a triple-ply partilally rupturable dispensing top closure 84 (FIG. 11) formed by folding and gluing a single elongated flap attached to the upper edge of one body side wall. The resulting container has a tear tab attached to partially rupturable outer ply 81 close to one corner of the tripleply dispensing top closure. Tear tab 75 is attached to tear strip 83 set off from the balance of outer ply 81 by weakened score lines 78 and 79 and score line 80.

The operations required to make the container of FIGURES 9-14 are the same as those required to make the container of FIGURES 1-8. Filling of this container is through large filling opening 45 as before (FIG. 12). After filling, the two-ply partially rupturable top closure member 85 is hinged about score line 39, the line of connection between reinforcing ply 35 and inner ply 82, and a glued joint is made between the corresponding surfaces of these latter two parts. Tear tab 75 is then formed under flange 62 and is attached at glue spot 76 to the underside or flange 62. The container then takes on the appearance of FIG. 13. To dispense the contents of the container tear tab 75 is grasped between the thumb and index finger and pulled outwardly loosening glue spot 76. Continued outward and upward tension on tear tab 75 ruptures in sequence narrow glue stripe 77, weakened scores 78 and 79, and lugs 73 and 74 allowing tear strip 83 carrying plug 71 to be hinged back about score line 80 exposing dispensing opening 72 to permit pouring the contents of the container over the protected surfaces of inner ply 82 (FIG. 14). To reclose the container, tear tab 75 is snapped back under end seam flange 62 and plug 71 is pressed back into dispensing opening 72.

It is thought that the invention and most of its advantages and novel features will be understood from the foregoing description and drawings and it will be apparent that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the forms hereinbefore described representing a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A container for liquids comprising a tubular fibre body closed at its lower end, three side walls of said body terminating at their upper edges in a necked-in area and outwardly extending end seam flanges, the fourth side Wall terminating in a necked-in area and an outwardly extending end seam flange and integral therewith a tripleply dispensing top closure including a lower reinforcing ply, with a filling opening, adhesively attached to said end seam flanges and an inner ply integral with said lower ply and adhesively attached thereto, said inner ply having a dispensing opening therein, and an outer ply integral with said inner ply and adhesively attached thereto, said outer ply having a tear tab and weakened scores defining a partially rupturable tear strip therein covering said dispensing opening.

2. The container of claim 1 in which the tear tab is fastened to the underside of the end seam flange by a spot of glue.

3, The container of claim 1 in which the material cut from the dispensing opening is allowed to remain in the opening as a plug.

4. The container of claim 1 in which the material is cut from the dispensing opening throughout its outline except at two narrow spots providing lugs retaining the plug in said dispensing opening.

5. The container of claim 1 in which the plug for the dispensing opening is glued to the underside of the tear strip of the outer ply.

6. A container for liquids comprising a tubular fibre body closed at its lower end and terminating at its upper end in a necked-in area and outwardly extending end seam flange and integral therewith a triple-ply dispensing top closure adhesively attached thereto including a lower reinforcing ply with a filling opening and a two-ply closure member hinged to said lower reinforcing ply and having a dispensing opening in the inner ply of said two-ply closure member and a partially rupturable tear strip and tear tab in the outer ply of said two-ply closure member covering said dispensing opening, said tear tab folded under said end seam flange.

7. The container of claim 6 in which the tear tab is fastened to the underside of the end seam flange by a spot of glue.

8. A container for liquids comprising a tubular fibre body of retangular cross section closed at its lower end and terminating at its upper end in a necked-in area and outwardly extending peripheral end seam flange, a single flap integral with said end seam flange at the upper end of one side wall of said tubular body said single flap elongated in the direction of the periphery of said body and scored in two positions dividing said single elongated flap into three sections substantially equal in area folded about said scores producing a triple-ply dispensing top closure, the lower ply having a filling opening therein and adhesively attached to said peripheral end seam flange, the inner ply adhesively attached to said lower ply and having a dispensing opening therein, the outer ply adhesively attached to said inner ply and having a tear strip aligned with and covering said dispensing opening, and a tear tab integral with said tear strip.

9. In a container for liquids comprising a bottom closure and four side walls necked-in at their upper ends and terminating in a peripheral end seam flange, a triple-ply dispensing top closure having a lower reinforcing ply, a two-ply closure member hingeable about its juncture with said lower reinforcing ply exposing a filling opening, said two-ply closure member having a dispensing opening in one ply and a tear strip and tear tab in the second ply, said tear strip being partially rupturable along weakened score lines to expose said dispensing opening.

10. In a container for liquids comprising a bottom closure and four side walls necked-in at their upper ends, three of said side walls terminating at their upper ends in peripheral end seam flanges and the fourth of said side walls terminating in an end seam flange and an integral triple-ply dispensing top closure having a lower reinforcing ply, a two-ply closure member hingable about its juncture with said lower reinforcing ply exposing a filling opening, said two-ply closure member having a dispensing opening in one ply and a tear strip and tear tab in the second ply, said tear strip being partially rupturable along weakened score lines to expose said dispensing opening.

11. A container of rectangular cross section comprising a cut and scored sheet of fibre providing four side walls terminating at their upper ends in outwardly extending end seam flanges, a plurality of bottom closure flaps, and a single elongated flap integral with the upper edge of one side wall and hingedly connected thereto, said single elongated flap forming a triple-ply dispensing top closure including a lower reinforcing ply adhesively secured to the upper edges of said side walls, an inner ply hingedly attached to said lower reinforcing ply and having a dispensing opening therein, and an outer ply having a tear tab and weakened scores defining a partially rupturable tear strip therein covering said dispensing opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

